Local analgesic effect of tramadol is not mediated by opioid receptors in early postoperative pain in rats / O efeito analgésico de tramadol não é mediado por receptores opioides na dor de ratos no pós-operatório imediato / El efecto analgésico del tramadol no está mediado por receptores opiáceos en el dolor en ratones en el postoperatorio inmediato

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tramadol is known as a central acting analgesic drug, used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Local analgesic effect has been demonstrated, in part due to local anesthetic-like effect, but other mechanisms remain unclear. The role of peripheral opioid receptors in the local analgesic effect is not known. In this study, we examined role of peripheral opioid receptors in the local analgesic effect of tramadol in the plantar incision model. METHODS: Young male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups: control, intraplantar tramadol, intravenous tramadol, intravenous naloxone-intraplantar tramadol, intraplantar naloxone-intraplantar tramadol, intravenous naloxone-intravenous tramadol, and intravenous naloxone. After receiving the assigned drugs (tramadol 5 mg, naloxone 200 µg or 0.9% NaCl), rats were submitted to plantar incision, and withdrawal thresholds after mechanical stimuli with von Frey filaments were assessed at baseline, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after incision. RESULTS: Plantar incision led to marked mechanical hyperalgesia during the whole period of observation in the control group, no mechanical hyperalgesia were observed in intraplantar tramadol group, intraplantar naloxone-intraplantar tramadol group and intravenous naloxone-intraplantar tramadol. In the intravenous tramadol group a late increase in withdrawal thresholds (after 45 min) was observed, the intravenous naloxone-intravenous tramadol group and intravenous naloxone remained hyperalgesic during the whole period. CONCLUSIONS: Tramadol presented an early local analgesic effect decreasing mechanical hyperalgesia induced by plantar incision. This analgesic effect was not mediated by peripheral opioid receptors. .

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Tramadol é conhecido como um fármaco analgésico de ação central, usado para o tratamento de dor moderada a grave. O efeito analgésico local foi demonstrado, em parte devido ao efeito semelhante ao anestésico local, mas outros mecanismos permanecem obscuros. O papel dos receptores opioides periféricos no efeito analgésico local não é conhecido. Neste estudo, examinamos o papel dos receptores opioides periféricos no efeito analgésico local de tramadol em modelo de incisão plantar. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar, jovens e machos, foram divididos em sete grupos: controle, tramadol intraplantar, tramadol intravenoso, tramadol intraplantar-naloxona intravenosa, tramadol intraplantar-naloxona intraplantar, tramadol intravenoso-naloxona intravenosa e naloxona intravenosa. Após receber os medicamentos designados (5 mg de tramadol, 200 mg de naloxona ou NaCl a 0,9%, os ratos foram submetidos à incisão plantar e os limiares de retirada após estímulos mecânicos com filamentos de von Frey foram avaliados no início do estudo e nos minutos 10, 15, 30, 45 e 60 após a incisão. RESULTADOS: A incisão plantar levou à hiperalgesia mecânica acentuada durante todo o período de observação no grupo controle; hiperalgesia mecânica não foi observada nos grupos tramadol intraplantar, tramadol intraplantar-naloxona intraplantar e tramadol intraplantar-naloxona intravenosa. No grupo tramadol intravenoso, um aumento tardio do limiar de retirada (após 45 minutos) foi observado. Os grupos tramadol intravenoso-naloxona intravenosa e naloxona intravenosa permaneceram hiperalgésicos durante todo o período. CONCLUSÕES: Tramadol apresentou efeito analgésico local inicial e diminuiu a hiperalgesia mecânica induzida pela incisão plantar. Esse efeito analgésico não foi mediado por receptores opioides periféricos. .

JUSTIFICACIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Al tramadol se le conoce como un medicamento analgésico de acción central usado para el tratamiento del dolor moderado a intenso. El efecto analgésico local quedó demostrado, en parte, a causa del efecto similar al del anestésico local, pero otros mecanismos permanecen sin clarificar. El rol de los receptores opiáceos periféricos en el efecto analgésico local no se conoce. En este estudio, examinamos el papel de los receptores opiáceos periféricos en el efecto analgésico local del tramadol en un modelo de incisión plantar. MÉTODOS: Ratones Wistar, jóvenes y machos, fueron divididos en 7 grupos: control, tramadol intraplantar, tramadol intravenoso, tramadol intraplantar-naloxona intravenosa, tramadol intraplantar-naloxona intraplantar, tramadol intravenoso-naloxona intravenosa, y naloxona intravenosa. Después de recibir los medicamentos designados (5 mg de tramadol, 200 µg de naloxona o NaCl al 0,9%), los ratones fueron sometidos a la incisión plantar, y los umbrales de retirada de la pata posteriores a los estímulos mecánicos con filamentos de von Frey fueron evaluados al inicio del estudio y en los minutos 10, 15, 30, 45 y 60 después de la incisión. RESULTADOS: La incisión plantar conllevó hiperalgesia mecánica acentuada durante todo el período de observación en el grupo control; la hiperalgesia mecánica no fue observada en los grupos tramadol intraplantar, tramadol intraplantar-naloxona intraplantar, y tramadol intraplantar-naloxona intravenosa. En el grupo tramadol intravenoso, fue observado un aumento tardío del umbral de retirada (después de 45 min); los grupos tramadol intravenoso-naloxona intravenosa y naloxona intravenosa permanecieron hiperalgésicos durante todo el período. CONCLUSIONES: El tramadol presentó un efecto analgésico local inicial, disminuyendo la hiperalgesia mecánica inducida por la incisión plantar. Ese efecto analgésico no fue mediado por receptores opiáceos periféricos. .

Expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -9 and opioid growth factor in rabbit cornea after lamellar keratectomy and treatment with 1% nalbuphine / Metaloproteinases de matriz 1, 9, e fator de crescimento opióide, em córneas de coelhos depois de ceratotomia e tratamento com nalbufina a 1%

ABSTRACT Purposes: To evaluate the effects of nalbuphine 1% on the expression of metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and opioid growth factor (OGF) in rabbit corneas after lamellar keratectomy. Methods: The rabbits were assigned to two groups: group nalbuphine (GN, n=30), which received 30 µL of nalbuphine 1% in 4 daily applications at regular intervals until corneal epithelialization, and group control (GC, n=30), which received physiological saline solution under the same conditions adopted in GN. The corneas were collected for immunohistochemistry on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 after lamellar keratectomy, and the expressions of MMP-1, MMP-9, and OGF were analyzed. Results: The expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-9 increased until day 5 of the evaluation, with no differences observed between GN and GC (p>0.05). On days 7 and 9, significant reductions were observed in the expression of MMP-1 (p<0.01), with no differences observed between GN and GC (p>0.05). The expression of OGF was constant in all periods (p>0.05), restricted to the corneal epithelium, and there was no difference between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: The study results showed that nalbuphine 1% did not alter the expression patterns of MMP-1, MMP-9, and OGF in rabbit corneas after lamellar keratectomy. .

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar os efeitos da nalbufina 1% sobre a expressão da metaloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), da metaloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) e do fator de crescimento opióide (OGF), em córneas de coelhos submetidas à ceratectomia lamelar. Métodos: Constituíram-se dois grupos: grupo nalbufina (GN, n=30), que recebeu 30 µL de nalbufina 1% em 4 aplicações diárias, a intervalos regulares, até a epitelização corneal; controle (GC, n=30), que recebeu solução salina nas mesmas condições adotadas no GN. As córneas foram colhidas para imuno-histoquímica decorridos 1, 3, 5, 7 e 9 dias das ceratectomias lamelares, visando a se avaliarem as MMP-1, MMP-9 e OGF. Resultados: A expressão das MMP-1 e de MMP-9 se elevou até o quinto dia de avaliação, sem diferença entre GN e GC (p>0,05). Nos dias 7 e 9, observou-se redução significativa na expressão das enzimas (p<0,01), sendo que diferenças não foram observadas entre os grupos (p>0,05). O OGF exibiu imunomarcação constante em todos os períodos (p>0,05), restrita ao epitélio corneal. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os grupos (p>0,05). Conclusões: Com base dos resultados obtidos, há como admitir que a nalbufina 1% não alterou o padrão de expressão da MMP-1, da MMP-9 e do OGF em córneas de coelhos submetidas à ceratectomia lamelar. .

Involvement of opioid, adenosine and 5-HT3 receptors in antinociceptive effects of an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation in rats and mice employing the tail immersion test and acetic acid-induced writhing test, respectively. With the tail immersion method, rats received two different doses [270 and 405 mg/kg BW, p.o.] of a formulation, pethidine [5.4 mg/kg BW, p.o.] as a reference standard and the combination of the higher dose of the formulation with naloxone [2 mg/kg, i.p.], an opioid receptor antagonist, and caffeine [16 mg/kg, i.p.], used as an adenosine receptor antagonist. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, mice received two different doses [390 and 585 mg/kg, BW, p.o.] of formulation, diclofenac sodium [15 mg/kg, BW, p.o.] as a reference standard and the combination of the higher dose of the polyherbal formulation with ondansetron [0.5 mg/kg, i.p.], a serotonin receptor antagonist. The polyherbal formulation [405 mg/kg] exhibited a significant [p < 0.01] antinociceptive effect using the tail immersion method. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the formulation showed significant [p < 0.01] dose-dependent activity. The antinociceptive effect of the polyherbal formulation apparently involved an opiate-like mechanism, since its antinociceptive action was attenuated by naloxone pretreatment. In addition, antinociceptive activity was attenuated by caffeine and reversed by ondansetron pretreatment. Our data suggest that the polyherbal formulation possessed centrally and peripherally mediated antinociceptive properties. The activity could be mediated through opioid, adenosine, and serotonin receptors and via inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase- and/or lipoxygenase-dependent pathways

Opioidergic orofacial antinociception induced by electroacupuncture at acupoint St36

The participation of opioids in the antinociceptive effect of electroacupuncture was evaluated in terms of nociception produced by thermal stimuli applied to the face of male Wistar rats, weighing 180-230 g. Electrical stimulation (bipolar and asymmetric square wave with 0.5 mA intensity for 20 min) of acupoint St36, located in the anterior tibial muscle 10 mm distal to the knee joint, induced antinociception in the present model, which was maintained for 150 min. Acupoint LI4, located in the junction of the first and second metacarpal bones, did not achieve antinociception at any frequency studied (5 Hz: 1.7 ± 0.1; 30 Hz: 1.8 ± 0.1; 100 Hz: 1.7 ± 0.1 vs 1.4 ± 0.2). The antinociception obtained by stimulation of acupoint St36 was only achieved when high frequency 100 Hz (3.0 ± 0.2 vs 1.0 ± 0.1) was used, and not with 5 or 30 Hz (1.2 ± 0.2 and 0.7 ± 0.1 vs 1.0 ± 0.1). The antinociceptive effect of acupuncture occurred by opioid pathway activation, since naloxone (1 and 2 mg/kg, subcutaneously) antagonized it (1.8 ± 0.2 and 1.7 ± 0.2 vs 3.0 ± 0.1).

Role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the piracetam induced blockade of opioid effects.

The present study has been designed to investigate the effect of piracetam on morphine/ buprenorphine-induced antinociception in rats and effect of piracetam on morphine or minoxidil induced relaxation in KCl-precontracted isolated rat aortic ring preparation. Nociceptive threshold was measured by the tail flick test in rats. The cumulative dose responses of morphine or minoxidil were recorded in KCl-precontracted isolated rat aortic ring preparation. Piracetam attenuated buprenorphine-induced antinociception in rats. Piracetam significantly reduced the morphine and minoxidil induced relaxation in KCl precontracted isolated rat aortic ring preparation suggesting that piracetam interferes with opioid receptor and ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) opener mediated responses in vitro. Thus, it may be suggested that piracetam attenuates opioid effects by an opioid receptor-KATP channel linked mechanism.

Anti-nociceptive effect of synthesized di-hydroxy flavones: possible mechanism.

Renewed interest on the research on the flavonoids is gaining more importance. Earlier literature on flavonoids indicated a significant anti-nociceptive action for flavones and mono-substituted flavones. However, they exhibited a ceiling effect. The present study was undertaken by new synthesizing six disubstituted flavones (DHFs) since poly substituted ones are expected to produce more potent effect. Their anti-nociceptive effect and the role of opioid involvement were studied using acetic acid induced abdominal constriction assay. All the six DHFs administered in elicited a dose related inhibition of abdominal constrictions indicating the presence of the anti-nociceptive response. However, these substances also showed a similar ceiling effect. Like other flavonoid substances, they also utilized opioid pathways. It is suggested that these newly synthesized DHFs can be included along with other flavonoids while attempting clinical trial for analgesic use.

Stereological study of rat spleen following acute ethanol treatment.

To investigate the acute effect of ethanol (4 g/kg, i.p.) on spleen adult female Wistar rats were treated intraperitoneally with: a) ethanol (4 g/kg body wt), b) naltrexone (5 mg/kg body wt) followed 45 minutes later by ethanol (4 g/kg body wt) and c) naltrexone (5 mg/kg body wt) alone. Untreated and saline-treated rats were used as controls. Twenty hours after the ethanol treatment the animals were sacrificed and the spleens were removed. A piece of tissue from the central part of each organ was fixed in Bouin's solution. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and analysed using stereological measurements. The volume densities of the following tissue compartments: red pulp, white pulp (divided in follicles, periarterioral lymphatic sheath and marginal zone) and the connective tissue were determined. Stereological analysis also included parameters of follicles: the areal numerical density (the number of follicles per 1 mm2 of tissue section), the numerical density (the number of follicles per mm3 of tissue) and the mean follicle diameter. The immunoarchitecture of the spleen was preserved following acute ethanol treatment. Unlike other parameters that were unaffected, ethanol evoked a decrease in both volume density of follicle and the mean follicle diameter. Naltrexone pretreatment had no influence on ethanol-induced changes. The data obtained indicate that a single dose of ethanol has a profound effect on rat spleen affecting the follicles, but the mechanism of its action remains to be elucidated.

Effect of glucose on stress induced antinociception in normal mice.

Stress induced analgesia has been shown to utilise both non-opioidergic and opioidergic mechanisms. Earlier studies indicate that opiodergic analgesics exhibit corollary changes in blood glucose level. In this study, the changes in blood glucose level by swim induced stress and the influence of exogenous glucose administration on the stress induced antinociception were studied. Stress per se (both 30 sec and 3 min) did not modify the blood glucose level. However, exogenous administration of glucose reversed the stress induced antinociception in both non-opioid and opioid segments. Our results favour a role for glucose in stress induced analgesic activity.

Influence of chronic prenatal and postnatal administration of naltrexone in locomotor activity induce by morphine in mice

The influence of chronica pre- and postnatal naltrexone exposure on the sensitivity of off spring to the locomotor effects of morphine was investigated i C-57 Black mice. Pregnant mice were injected subcutaneously (sc) with either saline (0.1 ml/10 g) or naltrexone (10 mg/kg) twice daily during gestation and throughout lactation, 21 days postpartum. One, three and seven weeks after bith, male offspring were tested for locomotor activity. At 7 weeks of age, dose-response curves were obtained with morphine (10, 31.6, and 100 mg/kg) and amphetamine (0.31, 10 and 31.6 mg/kg) in naltrexone-pretreated and in saline-treated animals. Naltrexone exposure during gestation and lactation resulted in an augmented sensitivity of offspring to the locomotor activity increasing effects of morphine. In these animals, the dose-response relationship for the effect of morphine on locomotor activity was displaced to the left about threefold. In contrast, naltrexone exposure did not alter the sensitivity of offspring to amphetamine. It was also found that ofsspring of naltrexone-treated animals have significantly greater spontaneous locomotor activity than that of the offspring of saline treated mothers. The increased locomotor activity persisted for at least 4 weeks after the last injection of naltrexone. These findings indicate that chronic opioid receptor blockade during gestation and early portnatal development induces supersensitivity to the locomotor effects of morphine and is associated with long-lasting behavioral alterations

Role of opioid receptors in self-aggression in rats.

Self-aggression is a behavioural disorder in which an individual damages its own body parts by intense biting or scratching. Self aggression has been reported in human patients in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and in cases of schizophrenia, depression, and congenital analgesia. In human patients as well as in experimental animals some kind of dysesthesia of the part of the body that is mutilated has been suggested. This study was conducted to find out the underlying pain mechanisms in self-aggressive behaviour arising out of stereotypy. The study was performed in 40 adult male rats. In all these animals, self-aggression was produced as part of amphetamine induced stereotyped behaviour. A predetermined scale was used for quantifying this behaviour. Reserpine and phenoxybenzamine pretreatment led to an increase in the incidence of self-aggression. Naloxone administration in reserpine pretreated animals led to a further significant increase in the incidence of self biting as compared to controls. From these studies it appears that self-aggressive behaviour may be associated with increased pain sensation.

Participation of opioid receptors in the modulation of the analgesic response by adrenal and gonadal glands

The invovlement of opiodi receptors in the analgesic response was evaluated by the tail-immersion test in simultaneously adrenalectomized and ovariectomized female Wistar rats (210-250g). The reaction time (mean ñ SEM) for tail withdrawal from hot water decreased significantly 2 weeks after surgery (3.52 ñ 0.20 s) when compared to intact animals (6.09 ñ 0.23 s). Hormonal replacement with dexamethasone (50*/day) did not affect reaction time (3.38 ñ 0.19 s). However, this response was restored by combined adrenal and gonadal steroid substitution (estradiol 5*g/day and progesterone 1.5*g 6h before the test) therapy (5.11 ñ 0.45 s) in animal treated with dexamethasone plus estradiol and 5.04 ñ 0.43 s in animals treated with dexamethasone plus estradiol plus progesterone). Naloxone (2mg/Kg decreased the reaction time of animals treated with adrenal and gonadal steroids (5.11 ñ 0.45 vs 4.15 ñ 0.44 and 5.04 ñ 0.43 vs 3.87 ñ 0.28 s, respectively, before and after naloxone) but failed to decrease it in rats treated with dexamethasone only (3.88 ñ 0.18 vs 4.34 ñ 0.25 s, before and after naloxone). These observations indicate that gonadal steroids are the most important steroid factors involved in the reaction time to tail immersion in hot water and confirm other reports that the opioid pathways modulating the neuronal circuitry require the presence of these hormones

Aggravating action of clonidine on ethanol-induced gastric lesions: probable mechanism of action.

Large doses of the imidazoline alpha 2 adrenoreceptor agonist clonidine aggravate ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The alpha 2 adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine, the opioid antagonist naloxone and the H2 antagonist cimetidine do not prevent this action of clonidine suggesting that it is not mediated by alpha 2, opioid or H2 receptors. Further, like clonidine, high doses of phentolamine and cimetidine aggravate gastric lesions per se, suggesting that all three may be acting at a common 'receptor' site, possibly the imidazoline-preferring receptor (IPR).

The role of opioids in the analgesic response of rats during the estrous cycle

The analgesic response was evaluated by the tail immersion test in female rats during each phase of rhe estrous cycle. The reaction time (mean ñ SEM) for tail witdrawal from the hot water bath was faster during proestrus (5.78 ñ 0,28s) and decreased significantly during estrus (5.31 ñ 0.30s) and diestrus 1 (5.40 ñ 0.21s). Blockade of opiate receptors with naloxone (2mg/Kg, ip) invreased the sensitivity to the noxious stimulus only during proestrus (6.46 ñ 0.42 vs 5.02 ñ 0.41 s). These results suggest that the effects of gonadal steroids on nociception may involve an opioid pathway

Possible interaction of potassium embelate, a putative analgesic agent, with opiate receptors.

The in vivo studies have been carried out in the rat brain for characterization of binding sites for potassium embelate (ex: Embelia ribes) a potent centrally acting analgesic compound. The results indicate that mixed mu and kappa binding sites in the brain may be involved in the analgesic action of this compound.

Role of opioidergic component in the antihypertensive effect of clonidine.

The role of opioidergic system in the antihypertensive effect of clonidine was investigated in albino normotensive and renal-DOCA-salt hypertensive models of rats. Clonidine (2.5, 5 and 10.0 micrograms/kg, iv) produced a dose-related depressor response. Yohimbine (2 mg/kg, ip) blocked the clonidine-induced responses in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. Naloxone (2 mg/kg, iv) blocked the clonidine-induced depressor responses in hypertensive rats, but not in normotensive animals. Morphine (0.11 mg/kg, iv) produced a depressor response in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. Yohimbine (1 mg/kg, iv) did not affect the hypotensive effect of morphine in normotensive or hypertensive rats, whereas pretreatment with naloxone significantly blocked the hypotensive effect of morphine in both groups of animals. It is concluded that the hypotensive effect of clonidine in hypotensive rats could be due to an opioidergic mechanism since it is blocked by both naloxone and yohimbine.